On the road, Virginia to California
Sep 23rd, 2005, 09:55 AM
#41
Original Poster
Made one last stop at Yavapai Point and Mather Point at Grand Canyon. At the last minute, I decided to go out to Grandview for my last view. This meant that I didn't get out of G.C. NP until about 12:30 PM. But the real reason that I was 7 minutes late for the last tour of the day (4:15 PM) at Hoover Dam was because of the Arizona Highway Patrol.
I was doing about 85 in a 75 mph zone when I noitced the HP car out of the corner of my eye to the left. He took his good time coming to catch me. Very pleasant, good guy, let me go with a warning. That was on I40 about 4 miles east of the exit for the highway that goes north to Hoover Dam.
Got to Las Vegas last night before sundown. I was the fast one on the highways most of the way out here and didn't get passed very often (mostly maintained 9 mph over the limit). But out around Henderson, at rush hour, there were some really crazy driver. It was a reminder that I am back in the big city, in a way.
Stayed at the Westin Casuarina last night. Nice room. Starbucks on ground floor with an internet hotspot (where I am right now).
I am expected today at the apartment complex where I will live for a month or so. Might not make it there until tomorrow, though.
I was doing about 85 in a 75 mph zone when I noitced the HP car out of the corner of my eye to the left. He took his good time coming to catch me. Very pleasant, good guy, let me go with a warning. That was on I40 about 4 miles east of the exit for the highway that goes north to Hoover Dam.
Got to Las Vegas last night before sundown. I was the fast one on the highways most of the way out here and didn't get passed very often (mostly maintained 9 mph over the limit). But out around Henderson, at rush hour, there were some really crazy driver. It was a reminder that I am back in the big city, in a way.
Stayed at the Westin Casuarina last night. Nice room. Starbucks on ground floor with an internet hotspot (where I am right now).
I am expected today at the apartment complex where I will live for a month or so. Might not make it there until tomorrow, though.
Sep 23rd, 2005, 02:24 PM
#42
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Enjoyed the report. We just moved from Arlington to San Diego a few weeks ago. (I will miss the cinema draft house too, boo hoo.) I planned to drive my husband's car and use the same route you did! But at the last minute we had the car shipped, I hope it had as scenic a journey as yours!
Welcome to California!
Welcome to California!
Sep 25th, 2005, 09:48 AM
#43
Original Poster
Thanks Vivi. And thanks to all who have read and/or replied to this thread. I have one last report.
I decided to stay over in Las Vegas one more night (Friday night). Stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club at the Flamingo Las Vegas. This was not the Flamingo Las Vegas, nor was it the Las Vegas Hilton, and it wasn't the Hilton GVC on the Strip. It is an RCI timeshare place. Got a suite with a kitchen, washer/dryer, and huge, wonderful spa tub. Actually got to sleep there, too, from 6AM to 10AM Saturday.
Las Vegas was, of course, fabulous. Visited the Imperial Palace, Harrah's, and Ceasar's Palace.
I decided to stay over in Las Vegas one more night (Friday night). Stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club at the Flamingo Las Vegas. This was not the Flamingo Las Vegas, nor was it the Las Vegas Hilton, and it wasn't the Hilton GVC on the Strip. It is an RCI timeshare place. Got a suite with a kitchen, washer/dryer, and huge, wonderful spa tub. Actually got to sleep there, too, from 6AM to 10AM Saturday.
Las Vegas was, of course, fabulous. Visited the Imperial Palace, Harrah's, and Ceasar's Palace.
Sep 25th, 2005, 10:14 AM
#44
Original Poster
Accidntally posted too soon!
Just after entering California the song came over the radion "It never rains in Southernn California ... "\. This was an emotional moment. Such a mix of emotions.
Decided on the 10 to the 605 instead of the 91 (see, in So Cal, we say "the 10" instead of "eye-ten", meaning the "10 freeway" as not all of them are interstates). If not for the backup on the 10 I might have made it to the Seal Beach pier just at sunset, but it was dark, about 7:40 PM when I got there last night.
The Grand Canyon is a marvelous place, not just for the canyon but for the people. A large majority of the visitors are there for the first time and are happy to share the experience. This was the place where we all wanted to go since when we were children and were finally here.
The most beautful sight, though, was the queen of the New Mexico State Fair in her white cowgirl oufit, white hat (of course), on her blond horse as she chased the stray doggies to the exit gate after they had been roped.
It was a wonderful drive. America is beautiful. The only boring parts of the drive were about 10 minutes in Tennessee where the rode is straight and fenced in by trees. And 15 minutes before and after Amarillo, when I was getting impatient.
West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Right back where I started from.
Just after entering California the song came over the radion "It never rains in Southernn California ... "\. This was an emotional moment. Such a mix of emotions.
Decided on the 10 to the 605 instead of the 91 (see, in So Cal, we say "the 10" instead of "eye-ten", meaning the "10 freeway" as not all of them are interstates). If not for the backup on the 10 I might have made it to the Seal Beach pier just at sunset, but it was dark, about 7:40 PM when I got there last night.
The Grand Canyon is a marvelous place, not just for the canyon but for the people. A large majority of the visitors are there for the first time and are happy to share the experience. This was the place where we all wanted to go since when we were children and were finally here.
The most beautful sight, though, was the queen of the New Mexico State Fair in her white cowgirl oufit, white hat (of course), on her blond horse as she chased the stray doggies to the exit gate after they had been roped.
It was a wonderful drive. America is beautiful. The only boring parts of the drive were about 10 minutes in Tennessee where the rode is straight and fenced in by trees. And 15 minutes before and after Amarillo, when I was getting impatient.
West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Right back where I started from.
Sep 25th, 2005, 12:42 PM
#45
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mrwunrfl,
Great report! Let me be the first Southern California Fodorite to welcome you to our state.
I saw your other thread about apartment hunting in the Seal Beach area. Where did you finally decide to rent?
Great report! Let me be the first Southern California Fodorite to welcome you to our state.
I saw your other thread about apartment hunting in the Seal Beach area. Where did you finally decide to rent?
Sep 25th, 2005, 10:51 PM
#46
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 11,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for a fun trip report! I'm glad you enjoyed the journey, and especially glad you enjoyed our State Fair. It's one of my favorite things about New Mexico, and it sounds like you experienced even more of it than we usually do!
All the best to you as you settle into your new home.
Lee Ann
All the best to you as you settle into your new home.
Lee Ann
